April 22, 2016

I LOVE LISTS

Welcome to I Love Lists Friday! Let’s see what the internet has for us this week:

Must make: Mini California Sushi Roll Cones
Are today’s parents getting a raw deal?
If I was ever on a kiss cam….
TINY BABY ANIMALS
Normal Food vs. Hipster Food
Sometimes I miss bullet journaling.
A really cute spring outfit.
Laura’s Vegan Pop Tarts look great!
Ryan- check out these NY photos
This is currently my desktop wallpaper.
What was in Prince’s Fridge? (RIP, Prince)
I love the Duplass Brothers
Something good to do while you’re brushing your teeth
An iPhone addict meditated for 365 days. Congratulations, buddy! I’ve done 4.
Something uplifting for you:
Jack & Coke / Gin + Tonic / Manhattan hmmm
Love all of these temporary tattoos
Happy to report that my closet still looks like this! Except with my Spring Capsule
Cindy Sherman + Aging
This is why we do Art in my house…besides it being therapeutic.

Things that caught my eye:

The Three Rules of Art – Amen
Shibori Pillowcases – do I have time to make them?
This CUTE dress I’d wear it with my clogs
How Did She Get There?
These cookies – look so chewy
Things Organized Neatly (YAS!)

Sweet recipes to make this weekend:

Gluten Free Fudgy Brownies (they’re amazing!)

Grapefruit Yogurt Cake (like a citrus cake doughnut!)

Citrus Smoothie Bowls– Perfect weekend pick-me-up

recipes

April 20, 2016

Lox Bagel Pizza

Lox Bagel Pizza.

Lox Bagel Pizza with a nice layer of red onion & dill cream cheese schmear.

Dill, red onions & capers on top.

Perfect for weekend brunches and a simple weeknight dinner. Serve it as an appetizer for a party. In my case, I made it in the afternoon- we ate it in the afternoon and turned it into and early dinner. No leftovers!!!

Inspiration

April 18, 2016

Keeping Creativity Alive

Life is busy and it’s hard to find time and energy to put into the things you love. After 36 years of life, I’ve learned that if I don’t respect my creative side and tend to it, my life starts to feel off. Over the past few years, I’ve honored this part of myself- the part of myself that firmly believes that I must respect my creative spirit in order to be happy. If I don’t respect this, everything in my life tends to fall apart. Just ask my husband.

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to manage/respect my creative side. I hope this inspires you to cultivate your creative side. It’s the best thing you can do for yourself. Trust me.

My Everyday Life: Week 14 on Shutterbean.com

1. Coloring Books for Adults

Why are coloring books so popular for adults these days? Because we CRAVE creative time. That’s right. Put your phone down and COLOR. I started coloring with Cooper a few afternoons each week after school because it’s the BEST way to unwind. Even better when there’s a smoothie involved. It’s during this time that I have meaningful conversations with Cooper…we talk about school, books and we play a doodle game where we finish each other’s squiggles. I never regret that time I spend with him. NEVER.

My Everyday Life: Week 40 on Shutterbean.com

2. Take a Class In Person & Online

Cooper and I started taking a few classes online on Creativebug (which is about $5/month). I got Cooper his own sketchbook and we watched my friend- Lisa Congdon’s Sketchbook class together. He was enthralled! Community-based classes online are a fantastic way to meet like-minded people. There’s inspiration at every corner of the internet. I happen to love classes that involve calligraphy and drawing & illustration.

I also realized that taking a class in person works better for me. It’s kinda of like how I am better at taking a Zumba class that doing an hour on the treadmill. I am committed and held accountable to a block of creative time. Last month I took a block printing on fabric class with my friend Jen Hewett and over the past weekend I took a Watercolor Brush Lettering Class. I just went on my own, met a few really nice people and left wanting to keep going.

It’s important for me to be around other people and seeing how they talk about their craft so that when I start teaching classes and workshops again, I will have a better way to communicate what I want to express to my students.

Human interaction always inspires me, even though I’m a full-blown introvert.

3. Write in a Journal

I carry a Moleskine journal with me and an assortment of pens. Right now I am trying out this new notebook situation. I bought an insert (picture above) in Vancouver and love the idea that the notebook can be customized/ added to. The only problem I have is resisting buying all of the inserts and turning it into a trap for receipts. We’ll see!

While we were in Vancouver, I wrote down all of the things we ate and did a few drawings. I created a little journal like this on our honeymoon and it’s so fun to look back and see what we ate/what we experienced during our trip. I will remember more if I write things down.

If you want to doodle, there are a lot of great books like 500 Ways to Draw that show you different ways to draw something. I’ve found that the act of copying these drawings gives me the courage to draw on my own. I can really see my drawing improve as a result. The only thing that makes you better is PRACTICE.

4. Go outside

Sometimes the best thoughts will come to me when I’m outside in nature. When I’m out hiking, I bring a notebook, pen & pencil in my fanny pack so if something comes to mind, I jot it down. Sometimes I’ll draw what I see on my hike and other times I listen to podcasts and look for rocks I can turn into art. Nature can be super inspiring. It also heals the mind and reduces my anxiety. I am so fortunate to live in an area that has so many trails to choose from.

My Everyday Life: Week 13 on Shutterbean.com

5. Check out an Art Show

Take yourself on a field trip and check out art in person. Even if you’re not particularly fond of some of the pieces, it’s nice to see someone else’s craft. The bookstore is also a treasure trove for good creative ideas. Pick a postcard and put it on a mood board to remind you of your visit.

On our trip to Vancouver, I reconnected with my creative spirit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Color combinations inspired me and there were a few installations that reminded me of how I wanted to be an installation artist when I was in my early 20s. I got to see a few shadow boxes by Joseph Cornell in person. I totally forgot how enamored I was with his work when I was in art school!! That recalibration was what I needed. It helped remind me where I am now and where I was then, creatively.

I guess what I’m saying is that you can find another perspective when you go see art in person.

My Everyday Life: Week 40 on Shutterbean.com

6. Spend time in a Library

There’s nothing like being surrounded by books. If I feel like bringing new ideas/thoughts into our house- like if I need to feel inspired by a new cookbook, I check it out from the library. Cooper is really into books as well, so we try to have a library date once a week. My only problem is returning things on time… In the end, it costs less than buying a book and I don’t have to find a permanent space for them…but sometimes I overdo it and bring too many books home. It’s a balance.

If you don’t have a museum nearby, you can always go into the Art section of your library. While you’re at the library, check out some art books. I like to have a rotation of several different inspiring books on my nightstand so I have something fun to look at before bed. It’s interesting to see what creeps into my dream life.

7. Give Yourself Little Creative Challenges

I’ve been shooting a lot for other people and sometimes I lose myself / own style in the process. I forget what it is that makes my photography different and unique. To counteract this, I give myself a few creative challenges before I am shooting recipes for others. I try to find something interesting in the ingredients I’m working with and put my own spin on it. Here I spilled some salt and then decided to turn it into a way of saying hello to my followers on Instagram. It lead to a whole conversation about salt puns and I loved connecting with others through that photo.

8. Take a Trip to the Nursery

There are at least three nurseries on the way home from picking up/dropping off at school. Sometimes I take a little detour and spend 15-20 minutes to be around plants. Sometimes I leave with a new friend and other times I leave with a fire under my butt to get our backyard together. Remember how I said how important it is for me to be outside? Well, being in a nursery is like taking an espresso shot. I instantly feel better when I’m around plants.

My Everyday Life: Week 11 on Shutterbean.com

9. Get Your Hands Dirty & Try Something New

I’m going through a dying/bleaching phase right now and I can’t wait to show you. It’s been fun dabbling in another medium and I’m getting my hands dirty in the process. Like…literally. Things may not be 100% perfect, but I have to remember it’s all a process. Sometimes it’s important to get your hands dirty to realize what it is you’re looking for. Perhaps you can bring new life/repurpose something? You never know unless you pull up your sleeves and do the handiwork.

I’m notorious for spray-painting things on a moment’s notice. When the inspiration strikes, you just gotta run with it! Try not to make tooooooo big of a mess, though.

10. Look for Signs

I find little signs everywhere. You can too. It just takes practice. When I feel like I need to invite new energy in or I’m ready to make a mental shift, I ask for signs. It’s a subtle thing I do, but when I’m on the lookout, I get the exact message I need. And I Quote has been a series for me that FORCES me to look for signs. What compels me each week? What do I feel is important to share? Words that pop up guide me and give me something to focus on.

The signs are everywhere. You just have to tune into them.

My Everyday Life- Week 10 on Shutterbean.com

11. Document the Process

My Everyday Life has been a way for me to document my life. I’ve been working on this project since 2011! I created this creative challenge to help keep me constantly looking for things that catch my eye. I want to find beauty in the mundane and figure out a way to elevate the everyday. I do this through photography and the words that I use to describe the image I post.

The more you train your brain to see how beautiful everyday moments are…the easier it becomes. As a result, you have a visual history of your life and so many little moments to reflect upon when you look back. This has been easier for me to do than scrapbook (which I failed miserably at). I love looking back and seeing what I did a year ago…two years ago, etc. Sometimes I’m doing the exact same thing on the same week or sometimes I remember how I was in New York…and how it feels like I was just there yesterday.

If anything, it’s helped me realize how fast time goes by and how grateful I am for my life.

My Everyday Life - Week 12 on Shutterbean.com

12. Give Yourself a Break

Some days you need to abandon your plans and focus on creating good energy/recharging your creative battery. I call these Mental Health Days. I purposely leave my phone in other parts of the house, so I am not doing any anxious cyber loafing. You know…that dangerous trap of Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat. It sucks me in and I get really antsy because it’s never-ending. Plus the leftover feelings from what I experience online trickle into my life and I can find myself getting all weird when I’m around other people because I have these weird nagging feelings of OMG I GOTTA WRITE ANOTHER EMAIL. How can I possibly do something that’s never been done before??

I fall hard into the comparison game trap.

Boundaries.

I’m learning how to set boundaries and figuring out how to respect them. It’s been one of the biggest creative challenges so far. Because this life online is work…but it’s also my creative life and how do I balance that with home life, family life AND make time for a social life?

Giving myself a break and being kind to myself allows me to be more creative with my time. I am happy that I am finally realizing this. It’s about working smarter, not harder and If I can do it with a little more compassion for myself, I’ll be a happier person.

my everyday life, Photography

April 16, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 15

Here’s what My Everyday Life Week 15 looked like:

A photo meet up at the San Francisco Library (before it opened!) with Chronicle Books.

Magazines organized neatly.

Felt like a Batman movie.

I found a typewriter in the library.

The section of super old books. Heart Eye Emoji!

L I F E

Chopped Salad with Spiced Chickpeas!

My little nugget.

Head.

Cooper typed this up on our typewriter.

Recipe coming soon!

Doughnuts & Shel Silverstein = YES

Heart Eye Emoji. Casey got a new phone….

April 15, 2016

I LOVE LISTS

Hahaha. #10. So true.
One of my friends had a swing in his childhood home too!
I would love to do a wall like this.
This makes me want to go to a National Park
Deb! You’re a genius.
I would totally make this wall hanging for over my bed.
Thanks- Tracy
It’s all about the angle.
Tiny houses to rent.
So fun to see my friend Amanda at work!
Every get together should have a signature cocktail. Including this one!
Wood + Nick Offerman
Everything you need to know about SALT.
All my favorite Trader Joe’s Snacks! Not into the plantain chips, though.
Friends are Family. Maj is family!
Oh my gosh. I want to make one of these tree houses for my houseplants!!
Speaking of… you can rent a friend in Tokyo
I cringe when I hear people say bruschetta
Dark & Stormy Banana Bread?! ZOMG.
This cat bed. I just need a cat. WAHHHHHH
Stop being hard on yourself.

Things that caught my eye:

Salt + Pepper – darling

Storage Porn– HELLO!

Dang! This lingerie is cool

Bathtub Tray– I could use one of these!

Instagram Inspiration:

recipes, Uncategorized

April 13, 2016

Chopped Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

I am soooooooo close to finishing It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell. It’s a fantastic read; I’ve been savoring the last few pages. I read a great deal on our trip to Vancouver. If you’re curious, here’s a quick synopsis from Amazon:

“A heartbreakingly honest, endearing memoir of incredible weight loss by a young food blogger who battles body image issues and overcomes food addiction to find self-acceptance.”

YES.

And while I’ve been reading her book, Andie’s cookbook Eating in the Middle landed on my doorstep! I feel like her way of eating is super similar to mine. She’s all about balance when it comes to food and you know how it goes here on Shutterbean…

healthy food + indulgent food = happy Tracy

So, here I am starting off with one of her healthier recipes– Chopped Salad with Spiced Chickpeas! Fret not, I am soooooo going to make her Peanut Butter Mousse Pie with Marshmallow Whipped Cream (!!!) next.

Casey and I really enjoyed this salad. The spiced chickpeas makes it a very substantial, hearty salad. I swear, it kinda tastes like a shawarma. I think it’s something about the spice in the chickpeas, the tahini dressing and of course the parsley, feta & tomatoes. Definitely going to add this to one of my future meal preps!

out & about

April 11, 2016

Out & About: Vancouver

Casey and I recently spent a weekend in Vancouver for our 10 year anniversary. Last time we went, I was pregnant with Cooper (see posts here) and the time before that, we went on our honeymoon! Although the trip was short, we found a few places that I wanted to share with you. I put a blast on my Instagram that I was looking for lunch/breakfast/dim sum recommendations and we went hit up a few of the places. If only we had another day…or a week to spend in Vancouver!!!

Here’s what happened Thursday-Saturday.

Where we stayed: Rosewood Hotel Georgia

It’s a lovely hotel downtown that came highly recommended by my friend Matt. The decor is stunning and the service was wonderful. Casey’s highlight of the trip was being driven to dinner in the hotel’s Bentley Flying Spur W12. #soroomy!

Hawksworth: Located in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. We had an excellent dinner here. Our flight arrived late so we ended up going at 9:30PM. Lovely cocktails. Exceptional service. We felt very well taken care of. Big thumbs up for the farro risotto and the best roasted chicken (besides Zuni!) I’ve ever had.

Prohibition: Loved going here after Hawksworth. The noise level was a little loud, but it was SWANKY and gorgeous inside. Casey and I had a nightcap there before we retired to our room and finished watching House of Cards (so thankful for free wifi in our hotel & Netflix!). The cocktail menu is sorted by MOOD! This is L’air de Panache and it was exceptional. It fell under the “Adventurous + Complex + Mysterious” section of the cocktail menu. I guess that perfectly describes my cocktail taste.

Medina Cafe– We went here for brunch on Friday morning. I’m glad we went on Friday because I can’t imagine how big the line would have been if we were there on a weekend. I ordered fried eggs with roasted mushrooms, potatoes, cheddar & foccacia. We split one of their legendary liege waffles for brunch dessert. Great cappuccinos! Brunch success.

Cartem’s Donuterie: The London Fog doughnut (that one with the stripes!) is probably one of the best doughnuts I’ve had in my life. No joke. It’s an Earl Grey cream filled doughnut with Earl Grey glaze! The Maple Walnut Doughnut is sweet & savory heaven. We went to get another donut fix on Sunday before we left for the airport but they weren’t open yet. Big sigh.

The Flying Pig: Casey and I spent the day walking around in Gastown, so we stopped by The Flying Pig for dinner. It’s a great place for Happy Hour and apparently brunch is pretty good. I had a drink called Charlotte’s Web which I thoroughly enjoyed. We ended up venturing around Granville Street later that night (hello, drinks at the hotel!) and got some street food (pizza with Mac & Cheese on it!). Fun times.

Rodney’s Oyster House: On Saturday we slept in (10am!! That’s like the latest I’ve slept since before Cooper). We had a breakfast snack at our hotel and then Casey and I walked around Yaletown. We wanted to check out some of the design stores and we remembered being in that area on our honeymoon so it was a fun way to reminisce. We had intentions of going to Ask for Luigi for lunch but we were hungry and wanted a snack so we passed by Rodney’s Oyster House to get a pre-lunch snack. We decided to make a meal out of it and ordered oysters, chowders, fish & chips and a beautiful bottle of Chablis. We sat at the bar, watched our soup being made and felt super relaxed. It was fun to see all the residents in the neighborhood rushing around doing errands.

Vancouver Art Gallery– We spent an afternoon visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery after our oyster lunch. I found out on Instagram that it’s referred to as VAG (oh boy). The best part is that it was right across the street from our hotel. I left feeling super inspired and sketched a lot of things in my sketch book. Yay!

Miku– Our last meal of the trip. We went out with a bang! Their seaweed salad is the best seaweed salad I’ve had (no joke!). Casey and I ordered the Signature Selection Sushi Plate and sampled everything at the same time. It was so much fun. We also really enjoyed the fatty toro nigiri as well as the uni nigiri (so reasonable!).

We didn’t get a chance to visit Stanley Park & Granville Island this trip (sad face). We stayed mostly downtown and relaxed in between eating, walking & drinking. On the previous trip to Vancouver, we rode bikes around Stanley Park (I LOVED!) and hung out at Granville Island for the day. One of the best things about visiting Vancouver in March is the blossoms are everywhere.

Places I would love to try that were recommended:

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH:

LUNCH:

DINNER: